Display for pump

ABSTRACT

This document discusses, among other things, an apparatus comprising a pump configured to deliver insulin, a processor, and a user interface including a bistable display. A display element of the bistable display is placed in one of two stable orientations upon application of a biasing voltage and stays in the stable orientation when the biasing voltage is removed. The processor includes a display module configured to display a non-blank reversion display screen on the bistable display when no input is received at the user interface after a specified time duration, and to recurrently change the reversion display screen until input is received at the user interface.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 16/401,684filed May 2, 2019, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser.No. 15/407,955 filed Jan. 17, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,726,100 issuedJul. 28, 2020, which in turn is a continuation of application Ser. No.13/242,116 filed Sep. 23, 2011, now abandoned, which in turn is adivision of application Ser. No. 12/114,033 filed May 2, 2008, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,133,197 issued Mar. 13, 2012, which is hereby fullyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

People who suffer from diabetes require insulin to keep their bloodglucose level as close as possible to normal levels. It is essential forpeople with diabetes to manage their blood glucose level to within anormal range. Complications from diabetes can include heart disease(cardiovascular disease), blindness (retinopathy), nerve damage(neuropathy), and kidney damage (nephropathy). Insulin is a hormone thatreduces the level of blood glucose in the body. Normally, insulin isproduced by beta cells in the pancreas. In non-diabetic people, the betacells release insulin to satisfy two types of insulin needs. The firsttype is a low-level of background insulin that is released throughoutthe day. The second type is a quick release of a higher-level of insulinin response to eating. Insulin therapy replaces or supplements insulinproduced by the pancreas.

Conventional insulin therapy typically involves one or two injections aday. The low number of injections has the disadvantage of allowinglarger variations in a person's insulin levels. Some people withdiabetes manage their blood glucose level with multiple daily injections(MDI). MDI may involve more than three injections a day and four or moreblood glucose tests a day. MDI offers better control than conventionaltherapy. However, insulin injections are inconvenient and require adiabetic person to track the insulin doses, the amount of carbohydrateseaten, and their blood glucose levels among other information criticalto control.

It is important for a diabetic person to be treated with the properamount of insulin. As discussed previously, high blood sugar can lead toserious complications. Conversely, a person with low blood sugar candevelop hypoglycemia. Ideally, insulin therapy mimics the way the bodyworks. An insulin pump is one way to mimic the body's insulinproduction. An insulin pump can provide a background or basal infusionof insulin throughout the day and provide a quick release or bolus ofinsulin when carbohydrates are eaten. If a person develops high bloodsugar, a correction bolus can be delivered by the pump to correct it.While insulin pumps improve convenience and flexibility for a diabeticperson, they can be sophisticated devices. Some insulin pumps can bedifficult to program. It is desirable for an insulin pump to havefeatures that make the pump more convenient or more effective for thepatient to use.

Overview

This document discusses, among other things, devices and methods forassisting a diabetic person manage insulin therapy. A device exampleincludes a pump configured to deliver insulin, a processor, and a userinterface that includes a bistable display. A display element of thebistable display is placed in one of two stable orientations uponapplication of a biasing voltage. The display element stays in thestable orientation when the biasing voltage is removed. The processorincludes a display module configured to display a non-blank reversiondisplay screen on the bistable display when no input is received at theuser interface after a specified time duration, and to recurrentlychange the reversion display screen until input is received at the userinterface.

A method example includes providing a bistable display on a devicehaving an insulin pump, reverting the display to a non-blank reversiondisplay screen when no input is received at a user interface after aspecified time duration, and recurrently changing the reversion displayscreen until input is received at the user interface.

This section is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of thepresent patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusiveor exhaustive explanation of the invention. The detailed description isincluded to provide further information about the subject matter of thepresent patent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate portions of a device that includes an insulinpump.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method of presenting an insulin pumpdisplay to a user.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of portions of another embodiment of aninsulin pump device.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of an example user interface with a displayscreen.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of another method of presenting an insulin pumpdisplay to a user.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of another method of presenting an insulinpump display to a user.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of system forproviding a display for an insulin pump device.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of another method of presenting a display foran insulin pump device.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device having an alternative display.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of another method of presenting a display foran insulin pump device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Insulin pump features may assist an insulin pump user in being moreeffective in treating their diabetes. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrateportions of a device 100 that includes an insulin pump. The device 100includes a cassette or cartridge of insulin. The cartridge isconnectable to infusion tubing 140 connectable to a patient such as by aLuer lock 145 or infusion set 142. The device 100 includes a display 102and a user interface that may include the display 102 and include one ormore keys 104. Because proper use of an insulin pump often requires auser to go through a learning curve to properly treat their diabetesusing the pump, it is desirable for a pump to provide assistance to theuser in operating the pump, whether the user is a diabetic patient, acaregiver, or a clinician. Device displays are a useful way to provideinformation to the user.

Bistable Display

Ambulatory insulin pumps are typically battery powered. It is desirableto reduce power consumption in an ambulatory insulin pump device toextend the lifetime of the battery power source. Displays for theinsulin pump devices typically require power to maintain the display.For example, organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) require constantpower source to generate light. Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) typicallyrequire a refresh cycle to periodically update the display. LCDs mayalso require backlighting to illuminate pixels of the display. Theseexamples require power to maintain the display even if the informationon the display does not change.

In a bistable display, a display element (e.g., a pixel or a subpixel)is placed in one of two stable orientations upon application of abiasing voltage, and the display element stays in the stable orientationwhen the biasing voltage is removed. Thus, a bistable display mainlyrequires power only when changing the orientation of the displayelement, and requires little or no power to maintain the orientation.

An example of a bistable display is an electrophoretic display (EPD). Inan EPD, particles in the display acquire charge from the biasingvoltage. The polarity of the voltage determines whether the chargedparticle will have a black appearance (the first stable orientation) orwhite appearance (the second stable orientation). Ambient reflectedlight is used to read the display similar to the way ambient light isused to read a newspaper. EPDs are sometime referred to as electronicpaper (e-paper) or electronic ink (e-ink).

Another example of a bistable display is an interferometric modulator(IMOD) display. In some embodiments of an interferometric modulatordisplay, application of a voltage causes a display element to have blackappearance (the first stable orientation), and application of a lowervoltage causes the display to appear bright and colored (the secondstable state). In a bichrome display, the display element is a pixel andthe bias voltage is applied to a pixel. In a color display, a colorpixel is comprised of a grid of display elements called sub-pixels andthe bias voltage is applied to a sub-pixel. The sub-pixels exhibitdifferent colors when the lower voltage is applied and produce the samecolor (e.g., black) when the bias voltage is applied. Together, thesub-pixels provide a full color display using spatial dithering. Adescription of IMOD displays is found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,042,643,“Interferometric Modulation of Radiation,” filed Feb. 19, 2002, which isincorporated herein in its entirety.

Because a bistable display requires little or no power to maintain thedisplay, the display will likely appear the same whether the insulinpump is working or the insulin pump has malfunctioned. This may make itdifficult for an insulin pump user to notice when the device hasmalfunctioned.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a method 200 of presenting an insulin pumpdisplay to a user. At block 205, a bistable display is provided on adevice having an insulin pump. The display is bistable because a displayelement (e.g., a pixel or sub-pixel) may be placed in one of two stableorientations upon application of a biasing voltage, and the displayelement stays in the stable orientation when the biasing voltage isremoved.

At block 210, the bistable display reverts to a non-blank reversiondisplay screen when no input is received at a user interface of theinsulin pump device after a specified time duration. For example, thereversion screen may be an icon from the manufacturer or a photo theuser downloads into the insulin pump device. However, because of thenature of a bistable display, a user would not be able to notice from asimple reversion screen whether the device is still functioningproperly.

At block 215, the reversion display screen is recurrently changed untilinput is received at the user interface. In some embodiments,recurrently changing the reversion display screen may includerecurrently changing from one of a plurality of reversion displayscreens to another of the plurality of display screens. In someembodiments, recurrently changing the reversion display screen mayinclude recurrently producing an animated effect on a single reversiondisplay screen. In some embodiments, recurrently changing the reversiondisplay screen may include switching among several display screens tocreate an animated effect, such as sequentially displaying animationframes to produce an animated effect. Use of reversion screens mayassist a user in operating their insulin pump device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device 300. The insulin pump device 300 includes a pump 305configured to deliver insulin and a user interface 310. The pump 305 maybe a positive displacement pump. Descriptions of an example of amedication pump to deliver insulin are found in Vilks et al., “Cartridgeand Rod for Axially Loading a Medication Pump,” U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 7,033,338, filed Feb. 28, 2002, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. The pump 305 may drive a plunger in aremovable insulin cartridge to deliver the insulin.

The user interface 310 includes a bistable display 315. In someembodiments, the bistable display 315 includes an interferometricmodulation display. In some embodiments, the bistable display 315includes an electrophoretic display. In some embodiments, the bistabledisplay 315 includes an EPD. The substrate for the EPD may be made offlexible plastic. This provides a robust and thin display for theinsulin pump device 300.

The insulin pump device 300 also includes a processor 320. The processor320 may be a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), or othertype of processor. The processor 320 is configured to perform or executea function or functions. Such functions correspond to modules to providefeatures integral to the first device. Modules may be software,hardware, firmware or any combination thereof. Multiple functions may beperformed in one or more modules. In some embodiments, software orfirmware is provided on a computer readable medium. The computerreadable medium includes instructions therein, which when processed(such as by the processor 320 for example) results in a deviceperforming the functions described herein. Examples of a computerreadable medium include a compact disc (CD), memory stick, or remotestorage accessible via a communication network such as the interne or acell phone network.

The processor 320 is communicatively coupled to the pump 305 and theuser interface 310. The communicative coupling allows the processor 320to exchange electrical signals with the pump 305 and the user interface310 even though intervening circuitry may be present. The processor 320includes a display module 325 configured to display a non-blankreversion display screen on the bistable display 315 when no input isreceived at the user interface 310 after a specified time duration, andto recurrently change the reversion display screen until input isreceived at the user interface.

In some embodiments, the display module 325 is configured to produce ananimated effect on the reversion display screen. For example, theanimated effect may be a moving icon. The display module 325 recurrentlyproduces the animated effect on the reversion display screen until inputis received at the user interface 310. At which point the display module325 may change from the reversion screen display to a home menu display.

In an illustrative example, the moving icon may be a clock and theanimated effect may be moving hands of the clock. The display module 325periodically produces the animated effect by moving the hands of theclock to display time according to a timer of the processor. In someembodiments, the display module 325 is configured to display time on thereversion display screen by displaying numbers on the display screen andupdating the numbers according to the time.

According to some embodiments, the insulin pump device 300 includes amemory 330 communicatively coupled to the processor 320. The memory 330stores a plurality of reversion display screens, and the display module325 is configured to display one of the plurality of reversion displayscreens when no input is received at the user interface after aspecified time duration, and to recurrently change the reversion displayscreen from one of the plurality of reversion display screens to anotherof the plurality of reversion display screens while no input is receivedat the user interface 310. The reversion display screen would changeafter a time duration, such as every few seconds for example.

In some embodiments, the display module 325 is configured to change thereversion display screen in response to input received via the userinterface. For example, as a test to verify the insulin pump device 300is working properly, the reversion display screen would change when theuser presses a specified user interface key or button. In anotherexample, the user may use the user interface 310 to advance throughseveral reversion display screen options and indicate a desired displayscreen. In certain embodiments, the memory 330 stores an indication thata reversion display screen is selected by a user. The display module 325only displays one or more reversion screens selected by the user. Incertain embodiments, one or more reversion screens are images downloadedby the user, such as photos for example. The display module 325 maydisplay the images in a slide-show fashion.

Various events may cause the display module 325 to change the bistabledisplay 315 from a reversion screen. In some embodiments, the displaymodule 325 changes the bistable display 315 from the reversion displayscreen to a home menu when input is received at the user interface 310.In some embodiments, the display module 325 changes the bistable display315 from the reversion display screen in response to a change in statusof the insulin pump device 300. For example, the change in status may berelated to a problem of the insulin pump device 300, such as an insulincartridge containing less than a threshold level of insulin, a devicebattery having a capacity less than a threshold battery capacity value,or an indication that the insulin pump device is not operatingcorrectly. The display module 325 may change to an alarm display screento indicate a problem to the user, may change to a debug display screento help the user determine the problem, or may display both an alarmdisplay screen and a debug display screen.

In some embodiments, the display module 325 changes the reversiondisplay screen in response to a detected change in a clinical status ofa user. The change in clinical status may include at least one of arecent blood glucose reading being higher than a first threshold bloodglucose value, a recent blood glucose reading being lower than the samethreshold blood glucose value or a second threshold blood glucose value,the user exercising within a specified time period, the user eatingwithin a specified time period, the user not eating within a specifiedtime period, or the user having active insulin in their body. Thedisplay module 325 may change to an alarm display screen to indicate thechange in clinical status to the user.

Custom Display Menus

Insulin pumps may be able to provide a variety of therapies anddiagnostics for the user. Accessing the functions of the device mayinclude navigating through several layers of device menus. It would behelpful to the user if the display menus are customized for the user.The menus may be automatically customized according to which functionsare used most often, according to which functions are more appropriatefor the users clinical status, or the menus may be manually customizedby the user directly.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device 400. The insulin pump device 400 includes a pump 405configured to deliver insulin and a user interface 410 that includes adisplay 415. In some embodiments, the display 415 is a bistable display.The insulin pump device 400 also includes a processor 420communicatively coupled to the pump 405 and the user interface 410. Theprocessor 420 includes a menu display module 425. The menu displaymodule 425 presents one of a plurality of device menus on the display415.

FIG. 5 shows an illustration of an example user interface 510 with adisplay screen 515. The user interface 510 includes a keypad 540including function keys 542 and scroll keys 544 or up/down keys. Thedisplay screen 515 shows an example display menu having menu items. Theuser interface 510 receives a selection of a menu item included in adisplay menu. Selecting a menu item causes the processor to perform anaction, such as indicating a status of the insulin pump device,modifying an operation parameter, or initiating a device task.

The example display menu shown has a top portion 546 and a bottomportion 548. The top portion 546 may show a display banner 550identifying the pump as “Mary's Pump”. The display banner 550 may becustomized by the user via the keypad 540. The example display menu isone shown during active delivery of basil insulin. The display menuindicates basal insulin is being delivered at a rate of 1.15 units/houraccording to a first basal schedule. The top portion 546 may present thename 552 of the active function and details of the function performed.

The bottom portion indicates the current function of the keys 542, 544.In the display shown, the pressing the left function key suspends thebasal delivery. If delivery is suspended, the function of the leftfunction key may change to activating the delivery. The right functionkey advances the display screen to a different display menu. The up/downkeys retain the up/down function. For example, the scroll keys 544 maybe used to highlight the name 552 of the active function in order tochange from the first basal schedule.

The example display menu also shows a first icon 554 and a bar 556 toshow the amount of insulin remaining in the insulin cartridge, and asecond icon 558 and a bar 560 to indicate the remaining battery life.The example display menu also shows a third icon 562 to identify thedisplay menu as the home menu or home page for the user.

Returning to FIG. 4, it was noted that the menu display module 425presents one of a plurality of device menus on the display 415. The menudisplay module 425 arranges the device menus into an order forpresentation according to user preference information. In someembodiments, the user preference information includes the frequency thatcertain menus are used. The menu display module 425 tracks device menuselections made via the user interface 410. The menu display module 425then arranges the device menus into a presentation order according to afrequency with which device menus are used. For example, if the userfrequently accesses the basal delivery display menu, the menu displaymodule 425 moves the basal delivery display menu closer to the beginningof the order with which device menus are displayed.

According to some embodiments, the user preference information includesinformation regarding the clinical status of the user. The informationmay be entered into a memory 430 of the device via the user interface410 or may be downloaded into the memory 430 via a communication port.The processor 420 receives the clinical status information and the menudisplay module 425 arranges the device menus into the presentation orderaccording to the clinical status information.

For example, the clinical status information may indicate that the userhas delayed gastric emptying. A user with delayed gastric emptying mayuse an extended or combination bolus of insulin. Descriptions of insulinpump devices that provide extended and combination boluses are found inBlomquist, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/679,712, “CarbohydrateRatio Test Using Frequent Blood Glucose Input,” filed Feb. 27, 2007,which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The menudisplay module 425 may make it more convenient for the user to accessthe display menu used to program and initiate an extended and/orcombination bolus (e.g., the extended bolus menu may be presented beforethe standard bolus display menu).

In another example, the clinical status information may include anindication that the user has a high or low blood glucose reading. Themenu display module 425 may make it more convenient (e.g., displayedsooner in a hierarchy) for the user to access a display menu that isused when measuring blood glucose. The menu display module 425 may alsomake it more convenient for the user to access the blood glucosemeasurement display menu if the user is performing basal rate testing.Descriptions of devices that automatically perform basal rate testingare found in Blomquist, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/685,617,“Basal Rate Test Using Frequent Blood Glucose Input,” filed Mar. 13,2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

According to some embodiments, the processor 420 determines informationregarding eating times of the user. The processor 420 may determine theinformation by receiving the information through a communication port orvia a user interface. The processor 420 may determine the information bydeducing the information regarding eating times from other programmedparameters, such as programmed meal boluses or programmed missed mealbolus alarms. In some embodiments the processor 420 may determine theinformation by learning the eating times of the user, such as bytracking the times a meal bolus is initiated for example.

The menu display module 425 arranges the device menus into thepresentation order according to the eating times of the user. Forexample, based on the information, the menu display module 425 mayarrange the display menus in anticipation of the user initiating apost-prandial blood glucose test, and make the blood glucose measurementdisplay menu more convenient for the user to access.

According to some embodiments, the processor 420 includes a timingmodule 435. The menu display module 425 arranges the device menus intothe presentation order according to a time of day. For example, the menudisplay module 425 may make it more convenient for the user to access adisplay menu used to program and/or initiate a meal or correction bolusbased on time the user typically exercises or eats. In another example,if the user checks their blood glucose at a specific time of day, themenu display module 425 may make the blood glucose measurement displaymenu more convenient for the user to access at those times. In stillanother example, the user may disconnect the pump or change the insulincartridge at specific times of day. The menu display module 425 may makethe related display menus easier for the user to access at those times.

In some embodiments, the user enters the user preference information viathe user interface. For example, the user enters an indication of whichdisplay menu she wishes to display as the home display menu. Theprocessor 420 receives the user preference information and the menudisplay module 425 arranges the device menus into the presentation orderaccording to the received user preference information.

The menu items included in a home menu are a subset of all availablemenu items. In some embodiments, the menu display module includes menuitems in the home menu according to the user preference information. Forexample, the user may provide, via the user interface 410, an indicationthat the battery icon of FIG. 5 should be placed in the home menu. Incertain embodiments, the processor 420 includes the timing module 435and the user preference information includes a display reversion timeduration. The menu display module 425 reverts from a displayed menu tothe home menu when no displayed menu items are selected during thedisplay reversion time duration.

In some embodiments, the menu display module 425 tracks device menuselections made via the user interface. The menu display module 425includes menu items in the device home menu according to a frequencywith which menu items are used. For example, if the user frequentlychecks how much insulin is remaining in the insulin cartridge, the menudisplay module 425 adds the insulin remaining icon to the home menu.

According to some embodiments, the insulin pump device 400 includes amemory 430 communicatively coupled to the processor to store a databaseof food options in association with a known amount of nutrient content.Nutrient content includes one or more of the amount of carbohydrates,fat, protein, or fiber in an amount of a type of food. The menu displaymodule 425 displays food options in one or more display menus. The userindicates the food she is going to eat and the processor 420 may use thenutrient content for the indicated food option to determine an amount ofinsulin in a meal bolus or to determine a type of meal bolus for theuser.

In some embodiments, the menu display module 425 is configured to trackselections from the food database made by the user. The menu displaymodule 425 may than arrange a viewing order of entries in the fooddatabase according to a frequency with which entries are selected. Forexample, if the user often selects pizza for lunch, the menu displaymodule 425 may select that food option first when the food database menuis accessed at lunchtime.

In some embodiments, the user interface 410 includes a programmabletactile switch or button (e.g., tactile switch 564 in FIG. 5). Theprocessor 420 is configured to initiate an action upon activation of thetactile switch. The processor action is specified in the user preferenceinformation. Thus, the tactile switch may be a generic switch or buttonuntil it is programmed by the user. For example, the tactile switch maybe programmed to initiate a type of insulin bolus, to bring a specificdisplay menu, or to activate a type of alarm provided by the insulinpump device 400.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a method 600 of presenting an insulin pumpdisplay to a user. At block 605, a user interface is provided on adevice having an insulin pump. The user interface includes a display. Atblock 610, user preference information is received into the device viathe user interface. At block 615, a viewing order of a plurality ofdisplayed device menus is arranged according to the user preferenceinformation.

Color Display

Information presented on a display is not of much use to the user if theuser does not notice the information. Color on a display can be used tobring a user's attention to a change in status of the device or adetected change in status of the patient.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device 700.

The insulin pump device 700 includes a pump 705 configured to deliverinsulin and a color display 715. In some embodiments, the color display715 includes a color bistable display. The insulin pump device 700 alsoincludes a processor 720 that comprises a display module 725 to displayinformation related to clinical status of a user using a colorindication and to change the color indication in response to a change inclinical status of the user.

Examples of a change in clinical status of the user include, among otherthings, a recent blood glucose reading being higher than a firstthreshold blood glucose value, a recent blood glucose reading beinglower than the same threshold blood glucose value or a second thresholdblood glucose value, the user exercising within a specified time period,the user eating within a specified time period, the user not eatingwithin a specified time period, and the user having active insulin intheir body.

Examples of change in a color indication used in the display 715include, among other things, a change in a display background color, achange in a display backlight color, a change in a text color, and acolor flashing indicator. The display module 725 changes the colorindication when the clinical status changes. For example, the displaymodule 725 may use a first display color when the user selects aninsulin bolus display menu and there is no active insulin in the user'sbody, and uses a second display color when the user selects an insulinbolus display menu and there is active insulin in the user's body. Inanother example, the display module 725 may flash the insulin bolusdisplay menu with the first or second display color when there is activeinsulin in the user's body.

In another embodiment, the change in a color indication is a gradualchange. For example, the display module 725 may gradually change thecolor indication according to an amount of insulin that is active in theuser, such as by gradually fading from the second display color to thefirst display color as the amount of active insulin decreases.

According to some embodiments, the display module 725 generates a devicereport on the color display 715. The processor 720 stores events in amemory integral to or communicatively coupled to the processor 720. Theevents may include historical insulin delivery information, recorded useparameters, and changes in the clinical status of the user. The displaymodule 725 displays the device report and uses a color indication toshow a change in clinical status.

In some embodiments, the insulin pump device includes a communicationport 765 communicatively coupled to the processor 720. In someembodiments, the communication port 765 is a wireless port, such as aninfrared (IR) port or a radio frequency (RF) port for example. In someembodiments, the communication port 765 is a wired port, such as aserial port for example. The processor 720 communicates the generateddevice report to a second separate device via the communication port,such as for printing of the device report or for displaying the devicereport for example.

FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a method 800 of presenting an insulinpump display to a user. At block 805, a color display is incorporatedinto a device that includes a pump configured to deliver insulin. Atblock 810, a display color is changed in response to a change inclinical status of the user.

Returning to FIG. 7, according to some embodiments, the display module725 is configured to change the color indication in response to a changein status of the insulin pump device. Examples of a change in status ofthe insulin pump device include, among other things, an insulincartridge containing less than a threshold level of insulin, a devicebattery having a capacity less than a threshold battery capacity value,or an indication that the insulin pump device (e.g., the pump 705itself) has stopped operating.

FIG. 8 also shows a flow diagram of a second method 820 of providing aninsulin pump display to a user. At block 825, a color display isincorporated into a device that includes a pump configured to deliverinsulin. In some embodiments, a color bistable display is incorporatedinto the device. At block 830, a display color is changed in response toa change in status of the insulin pump device.

Alternative Remote Display

Insulin pumps continue to decrease in size as technology advances.However, bigger displays are sometimes desirable for training on thedevices or if the user has impaired vision.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of system 900 forproviding a display for an insulin pump device. The system 900 comprisesan insulin pump device 901 and a display device 902. The insulin pumpdevice 901 includes a pump 905 configured to deliver insulin, a userinterface 910, a communication port 965, and a first processor 920communicatively coupled to the pump 905, the user interface 910, and thecommunication port 965.

The display device 902 includes a communication port 970, a monitor 975,and a second processor 980 communicatively coupled to the communicationport 970 and the monitor 975. The first processor 920 includes a displaydata module 925 that communicates display information from the insulinpump device to the display device 902 via the communication ports 965,970.

In some embodiments, the communication ports 965, 970 are wirelessports, such as an IR ports or RF ports for example. The insulin pumpdevice 901 and the display device may communicate using a wirelessprotocol such as Bluetooth protocol, the WiFi protocol, or the infrareddata (IrDA) protocol. In some embodiments, the communication ports 965are wired ports, such as serial ports for example. The insulin pumpdevice 901 and the display device may communicate using the universalserial bus (USB) protocol.

Input signals received at the user interface 910 change operation of theinsulin pump device 901. These changes are reflected on the monitor 975of the display device 902. The data display module 925 converts inputreceived via the user interface 910 into changes to a display, andcommunicates updated display information according to the received inputto the display device 902. The second processor receives the displayinformation via the communication port 970 and displays a user menu forthe insulin pump device 901 on the monitor 975.

Examples of display information communicated by the display data module925 to the display device 902 include, among other things, an indicationof status of the insulin pump device, a prompt to initiate a task by theinsulin pump device, or an operation parameter of the insulin pumpdevice. In some embodiments, the display data module 925 communicates,for display on the display device 902, instructions for using theinsulin pump device 901. This is useful for training a new user tooperate the insulin pump device 901.

The monitor 975 may be a larger display than is available for theinsulin pump device 901, and the second processor 980 may display anenlarged version of the user menu for the insulin pump device 901 on themonitor 975. This allows the user to easily see how the input into theuser interface 910 has effected operation of the insulin pump device901. In some embodiments, the monitor 975 is a video monitor and thedisplay device 902 includes a video adapter 985 communicatively coupledto the second processor 980 and the video monitor to convert thereceived display information to a video format for display on the videomonitor.

According to some embodiments, the display device 902 includes a seconduser interface 990 communicatively coupled to the second processor 980.The second processor 980 manipulates the user menu for the insulin pumpdevice 901 on the monitor 975 according to input received via the seconduser interface 990. Thus, the user menu displayed on the display device902 may be changed according to input received via the second userinterface 990. For example, the second user interface 990 allows thesecond processor to change a contrast of the user menu for the insulinpump device displayed on the monitor, a size of the user menu for theinsulin pump device displayed on the monitor, or a color used in thedisplaying the user menu for the insulin pump device on the monitor.

According to some embodiments, the first processor 920 includes a reportmodule 995 to generate a device report. As described previously, thedevice report may include historical insulin delivery information,recorded use parameters, and changes in the clinical status of the user.The display data module 925 communicates the device report to thedisplay device 902 for display.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method 1000 of presenting a display foran insulin pump device. At block 1005, a user interface is provided on adevice having an insulin pump. At block 1010, display information iscommunicated from the insulin pump device to a second separate device.At block 1015, displaying a user menu for the insulin pump device isdisplayed on the second device using the display information. In someembodiments, the display information is converted to a video format atthe second device and displayed on a video monitor. At block 1020, amenu selection is received at the user interface of the insulin pump.The menu selection is a menu item displayed on second device. The menuselection may be to change an operating parameter, initiate insulintherapy, display a device status, or run a device diagnostic forexample. At block 1025, updated display information is communicated tothe second device according to the menu selection.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of portions of an embodiment of an insulinpump device 1100 having an alternative display. The insulin pump device1100 includes a pump 1105 configured to deliver insulin, a video outputport 1165, and a processor 1120 communicatively coupled to the pump 1105and the video output port 1165. The processor 1120 includes a displaydata module 1125 that communicates video display information via thevideo output port to a second separate device, such as a video monitor1175 for example. The insulin pump device 100 is connected to themonitor 1175 via the video output port 1165.

In some embodiments, the video output port 1165 is an analog videooutput. The display data module 1125 provides the video displayinformation in an analog video format at the video output port 1165.Examples of analog video formats provide by the display data module 1125include, among other things, composite video, S video, component video,and VGA. In some embodiments, the video output port 1165 is a digitalvideo output. The display data module 1125 provides the video displayinformation in a digital format at the video output port 1165. Examplesof digital video formats provide by the display data module 1125include, among other things, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)and Digital Visual Interface (DVI).

In some embodiments, the insulin pump device 1100 includes a userinterface 1110. The display data module 1125 converts input received viathe user interface 1110 into changes to a display and communicatesupdated video display information according to the received input viathe video output port. In this way, the monitor 1175 acts as a displayfor the insulin pump device 1100. The user interface 1110 may include adisplay screen on the insulin pump device 1100. The display data module1125 may provide updated data to both the user interface display and themonitor 1175. The monitor 1175 may thereby function as an enlargedversion of the device display screen.

In some embodiments, the insulin pump device 1100 includes a memory1130. The memory 1130 stores one or more files containing video data.The display data module 1125 plays a video data file via the videooutput port 1165. The video data file may include training material, andthe video data file provides a video tutorial to the user on the monitor1175 when played. In some embodiments, the insulin pump device 1100plays the video data file in response to an input received at the userinterface 1110, such as an indication of menu selection for example.

In some embodiments, the insulin pump device 1100 includes an audio port1180. The memory 1130 may store one or more files containing audio data.The display data module 1125 is configured to play the audio data filevia the audio port 1180 in association with playing the video data file.In some embodiments, if the format of the file allows audio and video tobe combined, the audio and video files may be provided by a singleoutput port. The audio file may indicate a pump-related alarm or alert,or the audio file may accompany the training video.

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of another method 1200 of presenting a displayfor an insulin pump device. At block 1205, a video output port isprovided on a device having an insulin pump. At block 1210, videodisplay information is communicated from the insulin pump device to asecond separate device via the video output port. The second device maybe a monitor or a television depending on the video format. Thus, thepump is a video driver for the second device.

As further shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments the method 1200includes, at block 1215, providing a user interface on the insulin pumpdevice. At block 1220, providing a memory is provided on the insulinpump device to store one or more video data files. At block 1225, thevideo data file is played via the video output port in response to aninput received at the user interface.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which theinvention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred toherein as “examples.” All publications, patents, and patent documentsreferred to in this document are incorporated by reference herein intheir entirety, as though individually incorporated by reference. In theevent of inconsistent usages between this document and those documentsso incorporated by reference, the usage in the incorporated reference(s)should be considered supplementary to that of this document; forirreconcilable inconsistencies, the usage in this document controls.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and“in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respectiveterms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, theterms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system,device, article, or process that includes elements in addition to thoselisted after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within thescope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms“first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and arenot intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

Method examples described herein can be machine or computer-implementedat least in part. Some examples can include a computer-readable mediumor machine-readable medium encoded with instructions operable toconfigure an electronic device to perform methods as described in theabove examples. An implementation of such methods can include code, suchas microcode, assembly language code, a higher-level language code, orthe like. Such code can include computer readable instructions forperforming various methods. The code may form portions of computerprogram products. Further, the code may be tangibly stored on one ormore volatile or non-volatile computer-readable media during executionor at other times. These computer-readable media may include, but arenot limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable opticaldisks (e.g., compact disks and digital video disks), magnetic cassettes,memory cards or sticks, random access memories (RAM's), read onlymemories (ROM's), and the like.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 CFR § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment. The scope of the invention should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1-8. (canceled)
 9. An ambulatory infusion pump system, comprising: auser interface including a color display configured to displayinformation to a user in a plurality of colors; a memory configured tostore parameters relating to treatment of the user with an ambulatoryinfusion pump, including one or more thresholds related to glucoselevels of the user; and a processor configured to control theinformation displayed on the color display, the processor furtherconfigured to: receive information relating to glucose levels of theuser; compare the information relating to glucose levels of the user tothe one or more thresholds related to glucose levels of the user; andalter a color of a portion of the color display relating to glucoselevels if a glucose level of the user passes one of the one or morethresholds related to glucose levels of the user.
 10. The ambulatoryinfusion pump system of claim 9, further comprising an ambulatoryinfusion pump.
 11. The ambulatory infusion pump system of claim 10,wherein the user interface is part of the ambulatory infusion pump. 12.The ambulatory infusion pump system of claim 10, wherein the userinterface is part of a device that is separate from the ambulatoryinfusion pump.
 13. The ambulatory infusion pump system of claim 9,wherein comparing the information relating to glucose levels of the userto the one or more thresholds related to glucose levels of the userincludes comparing glucose levels of the user to a high glucosethreshold and to a low glucose threshold.
 14. The ambulatory infusionpump of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to alter the colorof the portion of the color display when the glucose level of the useris higher than the high glucose threshold.
 15. The ambulatory infusionpump of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to alter the colorof the portion of the color display when the glucose level of the useris lower than the low glucose threshold.
 16. The ambulatory infusionpump of claim 9, wherein altering the color of the portion of the colordisplay includes altering a color of text on the color display.
 17. Theambulatory infusion pump of claim 9, wherein altering the color of theportion of the color display includes altering a color of a portion of abackground of the color display.
 18. The ambulatory infusion pump ofclaim 9, wherein altering the color of the portion of the color displayincludes displaying a color flashing indicator.
 19. An ambulatoryinfusion pump system, comprising: a user interface including a colordisplay configured to display information to a user in a plurality ofcolors; a memory configured to store parameters relating to treatment ofthe user with an ambulatory infusion pump; and a processor configured tocontrol the information displayed on the color display, the processorfurther configured to: receive information relating to a clinical statusof the user; compare the information relating to the clinical status ofthe user to the parameters relating to treatment of the user; and altera color of a portion of the color display based on a change in theclinical status of the user.
 20. The ambulatory infusion pump system ofclaim 19, further comprising an ambulatory infusion pump.
 21. Theambulatory infusion pump system of claim 20, wherein the user interfaceis part of the ambulatory infusion pump.
 22. The ambulatory infusionpump system of claim 20, wherein the user interface is part of a devicethat is separate from the ambulatory infusion pump.
 23. The ambulatoryinfusion pump system of claim 19, wherein the change in clinical statusof the user is a glucose level exceeding a high glucose threshold orbelow a low glucose threshold.
 24. The ambulatory infusion pump systemof claim 19, wherein the change in clinical status of the user relatesto an amount of active insulin in the user's body.
 25. The ambulatoryinfusion pump system of claim 20, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to alter a color of a portion of the color display based on achange in status of the ambulatory infusion pump.
 26. The ambulatoryinfusion pump of claim 19, wherein altering the color of the portion ofthe color display includes altering a color of text on the colordisplay.
 27. The ambulatory infusion pump of claim 19, wherein alteringthe color of the portion of the color display includes altering a colorof a portion of a background of the color display.
 28. The ambulatoryinfusion pump of claim 19, wherein altering the color of the portion ofthe color display includes displaying a color flashing indicator.